Elaeagnus latifolia

L.

Elaeagnaceae

Elaeagnus latifolia, Elaeagnus conferta and Elaeagnos triflora are sometimes treated as three distinct species and sometimes as a single entity (under Elaeagnus latifolia). There is also disagreement over the range of the species, with Elaeagnus latifolia variously stated to be native to the Indian Continent or to continental southeast Asia[

A massive treatment of the plants of the Malaysian Archipelago. Much of it has been made available to download from the Internet

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Many taxa in this genus are separated only by quantitative characters, and better information on population variation is likely to lead to a significant reduction in the number of species recognized. Indeed, recent studies (Du, Fl. Yunnan. 12: 749-776. 2006) suggest that some species of Elaeagnus should be combined[

Line drawing of the leaves, flowers, fruits and seedsPhotograph by: Not known
Public domain

General Information

Elaeagnus latifolia is a much branched, spreading, evergreen shrub that can grow up to 300cm tall. The stems are often thorny.
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and sometimes as a medicine. It is often cultivated on a domestic scale and the fruits are sold in local markets.

Snippets of information from the magazine of the RHS. In particular, there are articles on plants that are resistant to honey fungus, oriental vegetables, Cimicifuga spp, Passiflora species and Cucurbits.

Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

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This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[

Excellent. Contains a very wide range of conventional and unconventional food plants (including tropical) and where they can be obtained (mainly N. American nurseries but also research institutes and a lot of other nurseries from around the world.

Excellent. Contains a very wide range of conventional and unconventional food plants (including tropical) and where they can be obtained (mainly N. American nurseries but also research institutes and a lot of other nurseries from around the world.

Terse details of the medicinal properties of Nepalese plants, including cultivated species and a few imported herbs.

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The fruit of many members of this genus is a very rich source of vitamins and minerals, especially in vitamins A, C and E, flavanoids and other bio-active compounds. It is also a fairly good source of essential fatty acids, which is fairly unusual for a fruit. It is being investigated as a food that is capable of reducing the incidence of cancer and also as a means of halting or reversing the growth of cancers[

A bit dated but a good book on propagation techniques with specific details for a wide range of plants.

]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pot as soon as they are large enough to handle and plant out when they are at least 15cm tall.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 7 - 10cm with a heel.
Cuttings of mature wood of the current year's growth, 10 - 12cm with a heel, in a frame[